Chinook / Spring Salmon

By - Jun 14, 2003

The Chinook is the largest of the 5 Pacific Salmon, reaching weights of over 70 pounds. The largest BC caught salmon was in the low 80 pound range, with the world record sport caught fishing being a 92 pound Kenai River (Alaska) giant.

The Fraser Valley receives two distinct runs of Springs. The first to enter the Fraser is a run of red fleshed Spring Salmon that arrive in May. These fish are headed to the Vedder and Chehalis Rivers as well as other rivers farther upstream including the Thompson. The fall brings a second run of Springs, this time a white fleshed variety known appropriately as White Springs, or simply as Whites. These fish are mainly headed for the Harrison or Vedder rivers. The Chinook Salmon, in contrast to the Coho, has black gums and a square tail. When on its redds, the Spring goes either a dark grey or black, with some fish having a red tinge.

Mature adults return to medium and larger streams to spawn. Spawn mainly from July to November in Fraser River, August to September in south coast, October on Vancouver Island and in September in north coast. Adults die soon after spawning. Eggs are laid in redds constructed in gravel reaches of river. Alevins remain in gravel until yolk sac is absorbed.

Fry emerge from gravel from March to May. Fry follow one of three life history patterns: "immediate" fry migrate immediately to estuary or ocean, "ocean-type" fry rear for 60-120 days (i.e. 90 day fry) in freshwater before migrating seaward as smolts, and "stream-type" fry rear for 1-2 years in freshwater before migrating seaward as smolts the following spring. Fry rear in shallow water in estuaries, tide flats or eelgrass beds from April to August and September.

As they grow they move to more pelagic habitats. In fall they leave inshore, and undergo 2-5 year ocean feeding migration. Some stocks remain inshore. Small numbers of males or "jacks" mature early and return to spawn at 2-3 years of age. Mature Chinook return to natal stream and may hold off mouth for several days or weeks before migrating upstream to spawn. Maximum size is about 147 cm or 52 kg.

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